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If you thought the 50mm f/1.4 was good..., Friday, 12 March 2010


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

...this will blow your mind! Its WELL worth the $ spent, but if you don't plan to shoot a lot of low light shots, save your $$ and get the f/1.4 for a fraction of the price. With the exception of the macro, I've now owned every Canon 50mm EF mount prime lens. I first started out with the f/1.8 Mark II. The build quality on that made me feel nervous. The image quality was OK, but very soft wide open and not sharp until f/5.6. So I sold it. The f/1.4 unit was better, but not good enough. The bokeh was "choppy" and "grainy". It back-focused often and it was a noisy focus. Also, the plastic construction and focus mechanism still left me nervous. So I sold that, too. After mulling it over for quite some time, I finally broke down and bought the f/1.2. Holy moly is this thing incredible! The L lens build quality is (as you know) bar-none and top-notch. The focus is quiet and accurate. The bokeh is "dreamy" and smooth. Contrast is excellent...saturation is excellent....this lens is the one! The only (and I mean only) thing about this lens that I don't like about this lens the 72mm filter size. Every one of my other lenses has 77mm filters. I wish this was a 77mm barrel so I could use my expensive B+W Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with it. I even had a surplus 77mm UV/Haze filter sitting in my bag, but its of no use on this lens. With the other 50mm primes I've owned, I never got filters for them...seemed overkill on cheaper lenses, but with the amount of moolah you fork over for this f/1.2 bad boy, you'll want to protect that forward element!

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Wide-open afficionados buy this, Saturday, 23 January 2010


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Sean Reid [...]. rated this as the L lens worth its price tag. That was the decider for me to invest my saved pennies and few plastic ones too and buy this lens.

I read so many other reviews on the net and here on Amazon that question the value of the lens given its EF 50mm f1.4 brother. For some reason there are few pieces of glass in Canon's line-up that get bullied on the net and this is one of those lenses. Another example is Canon EF 100mm f2.

This lens clearly outperforms f1.4 in every respect and as Sean Reid points out it also outperforms Sigma and Zeiss 1.4's too.

To keep this brief I would say that - if you use 50mm often and expect reliability and longevity as well immunity from atmospheric elements (within reason) then this is the lens for you. If you live in the surreal world of below f2.8 quite often and you expect usefulness from such large aperture ventures then this is the lens for you.

Don't be sad and buy this because it is an L, buy it if you really need it :-)

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Wide-open afficionados buy this, Saturday, 23 January 2010


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		5.0

Read the full detailed review I made on [...]

Sean Reid [...]. rated this as the L lens worth its price tag. That was the decider for me to invest my saved pennies and few plastic ones too and buy this lens.

I read so many other reviews on the net and here on Amazon that question the value of the lens given its EF 50mm f1.4 brother. For some reason there are few pieces of glass in Canon's line-up that get bullied on the net and this is one of those lenses. Another example is Canon EF 100mm f2.

This lens clearly outperforms f1.4 in every respect and as Sean Reid points out it also outperforms Sigma and Zeiss 1.4's too.

To keep this brief I would say that - if you use 50mm often and expect reliability and longevity as well immunity from atmospheric elements (within reason) then this is the lens for you. If you live in the surreal world of below f2.8 quite often and you expect usefulness from such large aperture ventures then this is the lens for you.

Don't be sad and buy this because it is an L, buy it if you really need it :-)

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Pretty Damn Nice, Thursday, 14 January 2010


Overall rating (weighted)		4.3
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

The problem with camera reviews in general is that they're much like stereo reviews - done by geeks who don't actually use the gear for the intended purpose as much as for a reason to get on the internet and spout off crap about "bokeh" (what a stupid word that I can promise you no pro has ever uttered in their lives - in fact, if you hear that word it's a dead giveaway that this is a person who is more into gear than photography. Sorta like "total harmonic distortion"...).

I digress.

I am a pro. It's all I've ever done and I never say "bokeh" so you can trust me. Typically I shoot with Hasselblad but I've returned to Canon for the video of the 5D MkII and so I had to rebuy all my lenses again. Since I shoot food on location once in a while I thought I'd try this lens. As I progress in my career I tend to avoid extreme lenses (any thing past 24 or 105) since they're typically a crutch for poor photos and I like being closer to "normal". Anyway, I've about 4 jobs with this lens and I have to say it's utterly transparent. Not the glass - the experience of it. That's really what you're looking for: a lens that doesn't intrude or get in the way. Focus is fast, quiet and accurate. It's well balanced. It's bright. Most importantly is has real good juju. That's really what you're looking for - gear that makes you want to shoot.

This is that.

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Focus is critical, Sunday, 10 January 2010


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

At 1.2 you don't get much depth of field, so if you miss the focus then you've missed the picture. I read lots of complaints about back focus and front focus and bad copies and I don't buy it. I think that most people can't focus and they blame the equipment. Google for "DOF Calculator" and run the numbers yourself to see how little room for error you have.

This lens is absolutely amazing. It's sharp, it's prime, it's 50mm, it's f/1.2, and it's not made of plastic. I broke three plastic 1.8 lenses before I bought this. I shouldn't have waited so long.

The most amazing thing is that my camera can focus in near total darkness with this lens on. It can focus on things in darkness that I can't even see. I normally shoot with f/2.8 lenses, and going to f/1.2 was an amazing transition.

The autofocus is, however, slow. I find 50mm to be a great focal length for the sporting events I attend locally, but it doesn't focus like a sporting lens should.

I'm very happy I bought it.

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love it., Friday, 08 January 2010


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		5.0

this is my favorite lens- ever. i have yet to take it off my camera. worth every pretty penny.

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AMAZING LENSE!!!, Wednesday, 06 January 2010


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

The only negative thing I can say about this lense is the price. But do I regret paying what I did? NO WAY. This lense is amazing. The bokeh and color satuation is amazing! I also have the 85mm/1.2L and the 35mm/1.4L.

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Stunning lens!, Friday, 04 December 2009


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

This is by far the best lens I own. I have a very good copy and I have not noticed any backfocusing issues on my 40D. IQ simply beats all my L lenes. It is nice to shoot in low light without a flash.

I would sell my camera before I seel this lens.

[...]

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Great Lens !!!, Sunday, 15 November 2009


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

The best lens I have ever owned. A new experience in night pictures...downtown scenes are easy...close ups on faces are good....

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Canon 50mm lens options, Tuesday, 03 November 2009


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		4.0

If you're looking at this, then you've probably decided on a 50mm or so prime lens, likely because the kit zoom lens is both slow and not very good quality. Here are the options for Canon:

Canon 50mm f/1.8 (version 2): It's inexpensive, very fast compared to any cheap zoom and exceptionally good for the price. On the down side, it's cheap feeling, noisy in focusing, and difficult to focus manually. You should buy at least this.

Canon 50mm f/1.4: A little bit faster, but that's a less important trait these days with good digital high effective ISOs. More importantly, it's robust, easy to use, with full-time manual focusing (you can just grab the ring even when it's autofocusing), and good image quality

Sigma 50mm f/1.4: More expensive than the Canon lens, but slightly better image quality wide open. It's a tough sell since the quality change isn't huge. But if the extra money and Sigma logo don't bother you, then go for it.

Canon 50mm f/1.2L: Big money for that extra light-gathering ability. If you need this for photographing in a nightclub, then you'll buy it. If you don't need it, it's too expensive and heavy to compete with the lenses above. That said, it's an amazing piece of kit that I've been lucky to handle a few times.

Another, used, option, the original Canon 50mm f/1.8 EF lens was sturdier and better built, but they're only available used and possibly abused. I own one and am happy with it. I have shot with the Canon f/1.4 as well and that's the lens that I'd buy today.

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Very nice prime lens, Friday, 23 October 2009


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Having used zoom lenses for some time now it was inevitable that I would revert back to fixed lenses at some point. Rather than find fixed prime lenses restrictive I have found them to allow me more freedom. The infinite possibilities of a zoom have more often than not left me with too many choices and less time spent on composition. A fixed lens such as this one forces more careful composition and has yielded better shots. To anyone who is on the fence for this lens and may be considering a zoom lens I say get this one. You will not be disappointed.

The range of the lens down to f 1.2 is amazing. I shot at night with no flash and was amazed by the results. Ambient light, even moonlight, lit the shots clearly and with remarkable results. The bokeh with this lens is also amazing. Just open the lens all the way to 1.2 and start shooting. For me this is the true reason to get this lens. It's shallow depth of field and the results of this effect are simple amazing. taking portraits will give you very soft features around the face with nice tack sharp features where you focused.

The Canon 85mm 1.2 will yield even better results for portraits, but for more versatility I still recommend this lens. The 85mm is too telephoto for casual shooting. if you only get one prime lens make it this one.

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This is a great lens, Saturday, 22 August 2009


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Detailed reviews are all over the net so I'll just make this one short.

I have had no focusing issues with my copy, purchased in August 2009.

Overall better image quality than the 1.4.

* Excellent flare control.
* Very much usable from f/1.2 to f/1.8.
* Sharper than the 1.4 from f/1.8 to f/2.8.

Cons:

* Price, would have been justified if it was sharper at f/1.2.
* Not dust or moisture resistant.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Great lens; needed a little bit of lens microadjus, Sunday, 26 July 2009


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		4.0

I'm using this lens on a full-frame DSLR Canon 5D Mk2. The first couple of days, I was struggling with getting the right exposure for my shots. Generally, I noticed that (intended) focused area (using center focus, partial metering) were a bit underexposed and background lighting was typically overexposed--this happens on most aperture settings, not just wide open. Moreover, when viewing the image at 100% size, I noticed that I typically couldn't get the focus spot on. I have several Canon lenses and have never had any issues; I'm not a pixel peeper; and, whenever I hear about "back focusing" issues, I generally disregard them since most of these "issues" are due to users' inexperience and wrong expectations of the lens.

That being said, I've had years of experience shooting with fast prime lenses (20mm f/2.8, 24mm f/1.4 28mm f/1.8, 35mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.4), and the 50mm f/1.2 was the ONLY lens where I found focusing needing a bit of adjustment. Luckily, 5D Mk2 (and, EOS 50D) has lens autofocus micro adjustment function for the user to adjust the point of focus for lenses. In my case, I had to set +17 steps "backward." This adjustment thing is something new to me, and I really don't know what the number means. But, what's important is that, after this adjustment, I was able to focus and get the exposures with better results.

Aside from having to adjust the focus point, everything else about the lens is perfect; I love the the colors it produces, bokeh is ultra smooth, the build and feel is great, and even the hefty aesthetic pleases me. I would easily give this lens 4.75 out of five.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Backfocused by 3 mm, Wednesday, 15 July 2009


Overall rating (weighted)		3.0
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		3.0
AF Speed		2.0
Value for Money		3.0

Pros: Creamy smooth bokeh, good build, focused as fast as the 50mm f/1.4 (not faster), rich colors, and great contrast.

Neutral: Mine backfocused by 3mm, which was not an issue because it is fixable on the 5D II, or I could have sent it in for re-calibration. Plus, I'm sure there are other copies that don't backfocus.

Cons: Where it was in focus was very soft wide-open until about f/2.0. Above f/2.0 it was maybe 10% softer than the 50mm f/1.4 lens. Had a noticeable magenta fringe wide open, more than the 85mm f/1.2. Wide open and in good light, missed shots entirely about 30% of the time - I'd focus on an a person's eye (using center focus) and it would be focused on an object several feet in front.

Bottom line: I expected this to be as good as the 85mm f/1.2 and it wasn't. I returned it, but I'm going to try another copy - there are so many good reviews and I really want it. I might have had a lemon.

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If you can afford it, go for it!, Tuesday, 30 June 2009


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		5.0

It may seem there are too slight differences between 1.4 and 1.2 on paper to justify spending 4 times more money.
Just like so many people, I spent so much time comparing 1.2 and 1.4 on various websites before I finally ended up with 1.2. I've been using it about a year now on my 40D.
You just have mount them on a cameras and try a few shots on your hands. You will feel the difference. That's how my confusion ended.
You just can NOT talk about 1.2 when you haven't touched it.
Yes, it costs 4 times more but the build quality is at least 10 times better than 1.4. Image quality is far better of course. Some says you get sharper images on certain stops with 1.4 but sharpness is not everything about image quality.
I agree 1.4 is a good lens but I'd rather use 1.8 than 1.4. Both produces good images and both feels cheap.. why spend 4 times more than 1.8 for 1.4..
1.2 is built like a tank and produces beautiful photos and looks fantastic on a camera. That's all I can say.
So stop reading these reviews and go to a nearest camera shop and try them for yourself!

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